i would hate to call my self a noob but i must say, i am somewhat of a noob in VB6. I can get around with basic apps n stuff, but i want to know if it is poss to manipulate other progs with VB6. i want to know if i can create a prog that will allow me to push other buttons on other progs with out them having focus. if any of you know where i can get info on how to do this id appreciate it.

it's actually quite simple, i'm not going to go into detail about it here but do this...

go to www.google.com and search for "Using API in VB6"

...or you can go to www.planetsourcecode.com, at the very top click on the drop-down combo box and select "VB" and in the box to the left of that type in "API" and then just hit enter and it will have lots of downloadable, readable, printable, etc. source code that use API (which is what your asking for). Read all the descriptions and check out the ones you think sound like they do what you want.

ive read a bunch of stuff about api and have concluded that that will help me manipulate windows based programs, what if i want to create a vb app that will start a macro for me in ac tools. how would i be able to do soemthing like that.

thx for the info btw.

Really all you need to do is use Keyboard Input API. "KEYBD_EVENT". It's actually really easy, but the problem is, I too have attempted to make a bot using VB, and there are necessary keys the cannot be pressed, "CTRL, ENTER" and others. You can also try "Send Key" too. But I'm fairly sure it won't work.

http://www.devx.com/vb2themax/Tip/19094

I used a slightly modified version of this code (added some wait timers between keydown and keyup, etc.) with no problem I dunno about tab, but I've definately presed enter.. In fact. I even wrote my own 20 line "macro" program with it.. and some other fun stuff.. worked flawlessly.

Lemme know how it goes for you guys!